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Georgia, House of Representatives, District 172

Georgia House of Representatives District 172
Current incumbentSam Watson Republican Party

Georgia's one hundred and seventy-second state house district is represented by Republican Representative Sam Watson.

Georgia state representatives represent an average of 53,820 residents. After the 2000 Census, each member represented 48,980 residents.

About the chamber

Members of the Georgia House of Representatives serve two-year terms and are not subject to term limits. Georgia legislators assume office the second Monday in January.

Qualifications

Paragraph 3 of Section 2 of Article 3 of the Georgia Constitution states, "At the time of their election, the members of the House of Representatives shall be citizens of the United States, shall be at least 21 years of age, shall have been citizens of this state for at least two years, and shall have been legal residents of the territory embraced within the district from which elected for at least one year."

Salaries

State legislators
SalaryPer diem
$17,342/year$173/day, set by the Legislative Services Committee.

Vacancies

If there is a vacancy in the house, the vacant seat must be filled by a special election. The Governor must declare a special election no later than 10 days after the vacancy happened. The election must be held no less than 30 days and no later than 60 days after the Governor calls for the election. The counties representing the vacant district are responsible for conducting the election.

Elections

2020

Elections for the office of Georgia House of Representatives will take place in 2020. The general election will be held on November 3, 2020. A primary is scheduled for May 19, 2020, and a primary runoff is scheduled for July 21, 2020. A runoff election is scheduled for December 1, 2020. The filing deadline is March 6, 2020.

2018

General election
General election for Georgia House of Representatives District 172

Incumbent Sam Watson (R) won election in the general election for Georgia House of Representatives District 172 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Sam Watson (R)
100
12,046

Total votes: 12,046
Democratic primary election

No Democratic candidates ran in the primary.

Republican primary election
Republican primary for Georgia House of Representatives District 172

Incumbent Sam Watson advanced from the Republican primary for Georgia House of Representatives District 172 on May 22, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Sam Watson (R)
100
2,744

Total votes: 2,744

2016

Elections for the Georgia House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on May 24, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was March 11, 2016.

Incumbent Sam Watson ran unopposed in the Georgia House of Representatives District 172 general election.

Georgia House of Representatives, District 172 General Election, 2016

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Green check mark transparent.png Sam Watson Incumbent (unopposed) 100.00% 12,898
Total Votes 12,898
Source: Georgia Secretary of State

Incumbent Sam Watson ran unopposed in the Georgia House of Representatives District 172 Republican primary.

Georgia House of Representatives, District 172 Republican Primary, 2016

Party Candidate
Republican Green check mark transparent.png Sam Watson Incumbent (unopposed)

2014

Elections for the Georgia House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on May 20, 2014, with runoff elections taking place where necessary on July 22, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 7, 2014. Incumbent Samuel L. "Sam" Watson was unopposed in the Republican primary and was unchallenged in the general election.

2012

Elections for the office of Georgia House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on July 31, 2012, and a general election on November 6, 2012. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was May 25, 2012. Incumbent Sam Watson (R) was unopposed in both the general election and Republican primary.

Georgia House of Representatives, District 172, General Election, 2012

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Green check mark transparent.pngSam Watson 100% 11,978
Total Votes 11,978

Campaign contributions

From 2004 to 2016, candidates for Georgia House of Representatives District 172 raised a total of $574,250. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $47,854 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, Georgia House of Representatives District 172

Year Amount Candidates Average
2016 $36,108 1 $36,108
2014 $20,000 1 $20,000
2012 $82,995 1 $82,995
2010 $95,744 2 $47,872
2008 $8,850 1 $8,850
2006 $135,995 2 $67,998
2004 $194,558 4 $48,640
Total $574,250 12 $47,854